Content originally posted in LPCWare by MikeSimmonds on Sat Aug 16 09:20:25 MST 2014No chip will ever have a pre-programmed MAC address; YOU have to asign one.[Possibly some development or evaluation boards MAY have a unique MAC address but I think it unlikely.You would have to see the documentation.]

You cannot 'apply' for a unique MAC address, you have to BUY one. This is expensive because you cannot just buy one!you have to pay for a manufactures ID (OUID) or a block of 4096 MAC addresses and this is expensive.See http://standards.ieee.org/regauth/oui/index.shtml [Currently, about US Dollars 1600 or 550 respectively.]

However, you can buy eeproms from Maxim or MicroChip that have a single MAC address pre-programmed in.However, you would then have to include that chip on your board design and read the MAC address at startup etc.This adds a few cents to the normal cost of the eeprom. Note there is no sticker or suchlike, you have to read thechip electronically. I am not going to go in to that here.

If you just want to mess about with some board, such as the Embedded Arrists 1769 board, I would suggest the followingstrategy.

Get hold of a network adapter (or buy the cheapest one you can find). Do not put it in any PC etc.Use the MAC address from the adapter -- It is unique and because the board is not in use (i.e. laying on a shelf etc.)will not conflict with such usage in a demo board.

Cheers, Mike.

PS: there are also locally administered MAC addresses (certain bits in the MAC addr indicate this -- google it!) and you would be responsible for ensuring uniqueness in your own environment. These MUST NOT be connected outside your private LAN.I.e CANNOT be connected to the internet.